Before this chapter starts there are a few things I want to say. First, the begining of this chapter is a bit dark. It's just a fair warning but I hope no one feels caught off guard by it. Second, going along with the darker feel, I've come to realise something that I am hoping to change. Looking back on previous chapters I realise that I write things very seriously, or at least as much as I feel is needed. Some people may be put off by this because of how colorful and upbeat the charaters are in the video games. I apologise if people are put off by this and I am going to work on making things not so grim, unless people enjoy the more serious tone then by all means I will continue with it. As always thanks for reading and please leave comments or questions. It helps a lot.

Sly ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He could see his friends in the far distance, yet no matter how much he ran he ever got closer to them. They were screaming, crying, calling to him to save them. Sly ran harder and faster, but still they stayed out of reach. Only after what felt like an eternity did his legs give out and he fell to the ground. He was breathing heavily, trying to keep himself from passing out from exhaustion. He was so close to them, mere feet. He reached out weekly with his arm. Carmelita reached out as well, the tips of their fingers millimeters away from touching. Sly gave one last desperate reach out, and just as he was about to finally touch her, horror struck. Sly watched in dismay and shock as Carmelita's arm was sliced off by a cold metallic wing. She screamed in agony, blood gushing from her wound. Sly, overcome with pure shock, looked up into the owl's yellow soul-piercing eyes. ClockWerk looked down at Sly, his lifeless eyes burning Sly, figuratively and literally. Sly's body was aflame, and while he could feel all the pain, his body remained pure. How he had not died he didn't know, and he could do nothing but scream and watch as ClockWerk slit each of his friends' throats. Bentley, Murray, Penelope…and Carmelita. Above all others he watched Carmelita, watched as the metal wing slowly positioned itself under her chin. Sly's eyes were wide with pain and sadness, begging to all gods and miracles to save Carmelita's life. ClockWerk took great joy in watching the young raccoon call out and beg. Even though his face was solid steel, Sly could see the smile on the bird's face; one more insult to throw on the rest. His wing lay still at her neck as ClockWerk bent down, so that when he spoke it went straight into Sly's ear. His voice was dark and mechanical, empty of any morality or humanity.

"Her death will be of your own doing, not mine. You will kill her and your friends, and you will be left with nothing. This is your fate."

Sly watched as his own shadow left him and began to take form in front of him. He watched a dark reflection of himself stand tall and breath in deep before turning to Carmelita. ClockWerk removed his metal feather away from her neck and watched as Sly's shadow reached out and wrapped its hands around Carmelita's neck. Sly watched in horror as his shadow chocked the life out of Carmelita, ClockWerk cackling manically above them. All of Sly's anger, hated, sorrow and pain burst forth from him as he screamed out, realizing that it wasn't his shadow, but himself who had killed the woman he loved. It was too much for Sly. It was only the voice that followed that woke Sly from his nightmare.

"Enough!"

Sly's eye's burst open as he woke up screaming. He was shaking, his blood ran ice cold, or was it the floor beneath him that made him cold. He wasn't in his bed, he was out in the hanger. He looked around franticly. The hanger was empty, no soldiers or tanks or pains, no one but him and the Director. The white wolf stood over him, yet his body had an ethereal glow. It wasn't just the wolf, but all around him was a ghostly glow, himself included. He had no idea what was happening or why he was here. His body still shook from the experience he had just undertook. It was only once the Director broke the silence did Sly break from his trance.

"These are no ordinary nightmares you are experiencing."

Sly looked at him, fear and rage in his eyes. He staggered to his feet and dragged himself away from the wolf.

"Y-YOU! STAY B-BACK YOU MONSTER!"

The Director gave Sly nothing more than a neutral stare.

"You're mistaken if you think I'm the one behind your dreams."

Sly continued to shake and stare. He blinked once, only to find the wolf now in front of him. He had no time to act before the wolfs paw was placed on his head. Sly instantly felt a calming and a great weight taken off his shoulders. He muscles relaxed and he stood steady, waiting for the Director to finish. A moment more passed before the wolf took his hand from Sly's head. He gave Sly a blank look before turning and walking away. Sly stood motionless, breathing in and out slowly. His mind was no longer wracked and distraught. He opened his eyes and looked toward the Director.

"What are you?"

The wolf stopped in his tracks. A small smile appeared on his face. He turned to face Sly and met his eyes with his own.

"Something from an age long past."

Sly accepted the answer, not knowing what it meant but accepting it anyways. He looked around at his surrounding and asked another question.

"What is this?"

The wolf raised a hand and racked it through the air. His claws brushed an unknown entity, the very thing that made everything look so weird.

"A place not unlike out own world. A place where one can perceive the evets of time without interacting with it."

Again Sly accepted it, not only because he had to but because he somehow understood. He knew he was still asleep, and that this was all happening inside his head, but he had an awareness that could only be the result of some kind of magic. Again he asked a question.

"Why am I here?"

To this question the Director gave a straight forward answer.

"I watched your dream, and I felt your pain. No one should be tortured in such a way, and so I brought you here, a place you can go when you have such nightmares in the future."

"Why am I having these nightmares? They only started happening once…"

Sly realized then that his nightmares only began after that night in the warehouse. They were responsible. He was angry, but now he was more determined than ever.

"What are they?"

It was the first time Sly had seen any kind of real emotion come from the Director. The wolf answered his question with an angered snort and a roll of his eyes as he walked off toward the right.

"My "siblings" are unlike anything you can imagine. Ruthless, selfish, backstabbing beasts who feed off the suffering and humiliation of others. I had hopped they'd stay away from one another for good, but unfortunately that is not the case."

Sly could sense a real frustration in the Director as he walked by him. He didn't know where they were going or why; he just followed and continued to ask questions.

"There're not…you're not normal. Why?"

"We are Dire Wolves. Back in the early days of history our people spread out amongst the world, eager to find and see all they could. At some point our ancestors created a great kingdom in what is now much of northern Europe. There our people flourished for over a century, but as with all great kingdoms it was destroyed from within. After that many Dire wolves spread out again, and through years of 'selective breeding' many other species of wolves that inhabit the world today came to be, and so our race died out."

"Then how can you be here?"

The Director stopped for a moment to clear his thoughts. That question had more weight to it then Sly realized. The Director made sure to choose his words carefully.

"There are 'things' in this world that have no definition or explanation. The story of how we came to be is long and…unnatural. We are who we are and that is enough."

"Hmph, that's not a very convincing answer."

It was a sudden shift, but one both Sly and the Director welcomed. Sly's normal manner seemed to miraculously return to him. Perhaps it was because the fear of his nightmare had finally subsided, or maybe it was because he didn't feel afraid of the wolf anymore. The Director gave a genuine smiled, a rare thing for him to do.

"No, I suppose it's not, but it will have to do. Some things are better left unsaid."

Sly looked down, somehow understanding the Directors meaning. It was then he realized where they were. They wee inside the base now and walking down a long corridor. Sly could see something in the distance that they were headed to.

"You didn't really answer my question from before: Where are we?"

"To put it simply, we are in a place where you may observe the real world without being there. You're still asleep in your bed. I noticed you were cuffed to it, the work of Ms. Fox I suspect."

"Yeah…she wanted me to stay in while, um…"

"I already know of Ms. Fox's whereabouts and her intentions. I was a bit surprised, to say the least, but her actions have given us this opportunity."

The Director motioned ahead. Sly saw there were in a large computer room now. There were many panels and displays that wrapped around a central computer. Sly looked around before focusing back to the Director when he spoke.

"Now watch and listen. Many of your questions and worries will be answered."

Carmelita hopped down from the vents and looked around. She had made it inside the security room and luckily there was no one around. The room was lit only by the soft glow of the monitors strewn about the room. She kept low and waited, making sure nothing else moved. When she finally felt safe she slowly crept up to the main computer and began going through it's files. The bulk of what was readily accessible were the names and information of PHOENIX employees and soldiers. She recognized a few names, many of which she had seen before in missing child reports. It seemed many PHOENIX soldiers were kidnapped at young ages and brought here to be trained. It made her blood boil knowing that all those missing children ended up here, forced to be part of a secret army and knowing nothing better. In retrospect it was very low on the list of crimes PHOENIX had committed, but such things were not known to her yet. The little rest that she could access detailed more of the bases layout, specifically the current floor. She kept digging deeper until a folder name caught her eye: THE PHOENIX CODE. She clicked on the folder and was prompted with a security password, along with a thirty second timer that would sound an alarm if she didn't put in the password before it reached zero. Things got very tense very quickly as she tried desperately to thing of what she could do.

"Ay dios mio, what do I do! There's got to be some kind of reset on this damned thing!"

She began franticly looking for a power switch or something to shut the computer off, but everything was hardwired or hidden behind metal frames. The clock had reached ten seconds and she was really starting to panic. She didn't even notice his golden hand until it brushed past her to type on the keyboard. She jumped back in a fright and starred worryingly at Mathew as he finished typing in the password and pressed enter.

"You know I would think an Interpol agent would be more careful when accessing unauthorized systems."

The computer screen accepted the given password and opened a folder which contained a single text document. Carmelita watched defensively as Mathew opened the document. What surprised her the most was when he stepped aside and gestured for her to come and read it.

"Here, I think this will answer some of your burning questions."

She eyed him, then the computer, then back at him.

"This is some kind of trick isn't it?"

"Would you have preferred I let the alarm sound?"

Carmelita stood silent for a moment, weighing her options and the situation. Finding no other reasonable option she walked forward slowly. She kept her eyes on Mathew until she was next to the monitor. She glanced over back at him one last time before turning to read the document.

Following the rise of the modern age, PHOENIX was established for a singular purpose: to change the world for the better. To achieve this we do what others will not. We challenge the status quo. Peace is never assured in a world where the many are ruled the few. It is only achieved when all are ruled by one. The world is divided and filled with hate, and we must be the ones to unite it. The dictatorships of the east must be destroyed, and the democracies of the west laid low for all to see. This is not to be done through violence and chaos, but through order and conversion. We must show the world the error of there ways and offer to them a solution they cannot refuse. In time, the boarders that divide us, and the laws that allow the unjust to prevail will be torn down and burned. Crime will be no more. Hunger and poverty will be replaced with care and love. The greedy will have their wealth spread out through the masses, and the corrupt will be stripped of their power and trialed for their deeds. This process will not be an easy one and will not be achieved in our lifetime. It will take time, but eventually the world will grow old and burn away. From its ashes, PHOENIX will emerge just as old storied have told, and with our birth so to will the world be reborn. This is our purpose. This is what you were born to do. This is PHOENIX.

Carmelita was shocked by what she read. It if was true, then her suspicions before were right. PHOENIX wants to take over the world, but she was confused as to there means to do so. Conversion? Rebirth? She didn't understand, nor did she want to. Her confusion was mingled with anger, and she turned to face Mathew with fury in her eyes.

"So it is true! You goal is to take over the world!"

Mathew gave a half smile, almost as if she words were a child's joke. This only made the vixen's blood boil more.

"I didn't expect you to understand. No one does at first, but in your brutish way of thinking yes, the goal of PHOENIX is to rule the world, but there is much more to it than that."

"Yeah, like what? Don't try to give me some sob story about how children in Africa are dying, or how politicians are corrupt."

"The points you make are exactly what I mean, and much more to. The world is in a stalemate, nothing is getting done. Do you know why those children in Africa are dying, because nothing is being done about it. There's no real leadership in the world."

Carmelita gave out a huff of anger and rolled her eyes.

"You sound just like ever bad guy from every movie and book. 'Oh, the world is evil and I'm the only one that can save it but I have to kidnap children and kill people to achieve it.' You're nothing but a story book criminal, and I'm going to make sure you rot behind bars for it!"

To her surprise, and frustration, Mathew simply gave out a hearty laugh and smiled at her.

"You're right, I sound just like every movie villain bent on world domination. In many respects I am exactly like that, except for one major difference."

Carmelita crossed her eyes and looked sternly at him.

"Yeah, and what's that?"

Mathew clasped his hands behind his back, stood up tall, and stepped toward her. Carmelita stood her ground, but as he got close her eyes slightly fell to her head.

"The difference is that I am right."

He spoke his words in such a commanding and 'right' way that made Carmelita feel a bit uneasy. It only now dawned on her again where she was and what this man could do to her. Mathew turned and walked back a few steps, relieving Carmelita a bit now that he wasn't in her face.

"Imagine, if you can, a world where there truly is no evil. A world that is advanced beyond its years, both technological and cultural. A world where no child goes without a meal, where no senator or politician can live off of the suffering of the people. Imagine a world exactly like what we have now but without all of those things and you begin to understand what PHOENIX is."

He turned back to face her. His face was serious and his eyes determined. Carmelita listened intently, her anger had subsided and now she was genuinely curious.

"The word we seek is not so different from what it is now. Our goal of everlasting peace and zero crime is something we know we can't achieve, but we can do it better then anyone else. We are not driven by wealth or desire, but by the betterment of all people. The world needs a firm hand to guide it, to keep it on track, and that is what we aim to do. We aren't controlling the world by ruling it, we are simply changing what has been unchangeable. The world is filled with chaos and misery. We seek to bring order and balance to all things. It is not something the world wants to accept, but it has to if it is to have any hope of survival."

Mathew was clearly passionate about what he believed, something that Carmelita, at the very least, respected even if she disagreed. He seemed to genuinely want to help and make things better, but just like in the stories that was never the true intention.

"You can believe that you vision of the future is something that all people should strive for, but you're wrong. The world is what it and it can't change. There is always going to be chaos and crime. I've learned working with Interpol that there will always be someone who breaks the law or does the wrong thing, and it's up to the good guys to stop the bad guys. That's how it's always been and how it's always going to be."

"You're right. People are what they are and history has shown we can never change. I can see why you think our vision is impossible, I myself believed it to be impossible for many years, but then I learned something that changed my perception of the world forever."

Carmelita cocked an eyebrow, curious as to what he meant.

"One person can influence others, but I the end they become the same as all other people. The world doesn't need another person, it needs something else, something…evolved. The Director is that something."

"You mean your boss, the one that looks just like those other wolves you seem so interested in?"

"Mr. Cooper described the Director perfectly during his outburst. He is unnatural, more so then you can possibly know. The Director isn't one of us, he isn't like the rest of the world. He is something more, something above what we are. When I spoke of ruling the world, I didn't mean myself. I am just another solider following orders. The true ruler is the Director. He is the only one that can change us, make us better."

Carmelita was a bit disturbed by Mathews description. Like Sly she knew the Director was strange and like the other wolves they had encountered, but now things were getting creepy.

"What is he? What are they?"

" 'They' are beyond us. They see the world in a different way then we do, they perceive things in a way we cannot. They are siblings, brothers and sisters of a race long forgotten. Their kind are what we aspire to be. The Wolf Pack are the last of there kind and they seek to rule this world with an iron grip. They don't want it remade or help, they want it burned to the ground and blow away as ash. We are inferior to them and they seek to eradicate us. We cannot make the world better so long as they live to take and destroy all that we have achieved. That is why we need you help to stop them."

There was almost a plea in his voice. Carmelita, now more in thought then anything, looked down and thought for a moment before answering.

"If 'they' are what you say, then what can we do to stop them? If they're beyond what we are, then what chance do we have to compete?"

"The Director has made it clear the danger they possess and has such shown us the way to stopping them. They are powerful, but they are not without there weakness. PHOENIX has the power to stop them but not without help…not without a Cooper."

Carmelita darted her eyes to him.

"What does Sly have to do with this?"

"Surely you know of his history and power. Sly has many talents, but his true potential is locked within him. In the past, only a Cooper has been able to go head on with the entire Wolf Pack and live. We need Sly in order to finish them once and for all."

"Sly's just a thief, not a soldier. Just because he knows how to fight doesn't make him some kind of warrior."

"Doesn't it? Let's look back the last few years and see what he has done. He single-handedly took down one of the greatest crime syndicates, destroyed a millennium-old metal bird, journeyed around the world finding said pieces of bird, defeated many criminals along the way and defeated ClockWerk AGAIN. He then united with a band of master thieves like himself, including a man who was responsible for his parent's death, discovered his ancestors vault and caught a glimpse of the wonders and powers his ancestors possessed. You want to explain to me how he is NOT special?"

Carmelita opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She looked back on all the adventures she had gone on to try and get Sly. She might not have been there for the important things, but she knew that everything Mathew said was true. Sly had even shown her the Thievius Raccoonus and had detailed many of the heroic deeds his ancestors had done. Maybe Mathew was right. Maybe there was more to Sly then Sly even knew about himself. Mathew noticed her pondering and decided it was enough for one night.

"I'm sure you have a lot to think about, but now you know the truth and I swear to you it is. You may never agree with our goals, but you can agree that the Wolf Pack needs to be stopped."

Mathew extended out his arm and held his hand open for her. She eyed him then his hand before reluctantly reaching for it and giving a firm handshake.

"Fine, but don't think this means I'm just going to forget everything once this is all over. I'm going to make sure everyone finds out about PHOENIX and what you plan to do."

Mathew smiled as he finished their handshake.

"I wouldn't have it any other way Ms. Fox. You're a strong woman who is steadfast in her beliefs. I respect that."

The golden jackal then turned toward the security door and punched in a code that opened it. He gestured for Carmelita to leave first. Once they were both out of the security room he made sure the door behind them was locked.

"In the future if you have any questions just ask. Not everyone is as understanding around here, especially Athena."

"Hmph, yeah, she looked 'real' scary. What is she, some kind of assassin?"

"You're not to far from the truth, but it's not my place to speak on her behalf. If you want to know then ask her, but don't expect a warm response."

Carmelita rolled her eyes and followed Mathew. He gave her a small tour of the facility, all in the hopes of gaining more of her trust. It worked to little affect, but Carmelita was glad she now knew PHOENIX's true purpose. It might not have been as sinister in intention as she thought, but she still would not allow it to happen. She only hoped Sly would understand all this when she explained it to him later, unaware that Sly had been watching from the very beginning.

"So…world domination eh? Not very unique, but your take on it is."

The Director gave a half sort of laughter

"I see you share the inspector's point of view on the matter."

"Well yeah, du, you're completely insane and not at all original. You want to rule the world for control. People are not that stupid to believe that you're some kind of savior sent to heal the world."

" 'People' are stupid, arrogant and quick to judge. A person is smart and can see the bigger picture…but if you were listening to what Mathew had to say you would know I'm not just a person."

Sly rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

"Yeah, that part was made very clear. So are you some kind of alien or...?"

"You know your father asked the same question. You two are very much alike."

Sly went quiet. Mathew had mentioned before that his father had worked with PHOENIX in the past. He didn't know how much of that was true but he was about to find out.

"What do you know about my father?"

"Many years ago, before you father decided to settle down and have you, three members of the Wolf Pack emerged from hiding. We thought then that they were returning and we knew we needed a Cooper. I had Mathew contact your father and we brought him here and explained much of what you just heard. Like you he didn't hold our beliefs, but he understood the threat my brothers and sisters posed and he agreed to help us. We sent him on scout missions to try and track them down but they always seemed to simply disappear. After a year of searching we finally gave up and we told Connor he was free to go without fear of PHOENIX watching him. After that he left and we never heard from him again. He was a good man till the very end."

Sly let the story sink in, then his face grew a somewhat disappointed look.

"That's it? My father was your errand boy for a year then when he couldn't find them you just let him go?"

"Like I said, he was a good man, but I jumped the gun to early as it were. The Wolf Pack weren't ready to show themselves yet, and so we had no need for your father after that. True to my word we never followed or watched him. The work you Coopers do is admirable…you and I aren't that different after all."

"We are nothing alike…"

"Oh aren't we? We both want to make the world place, and to do so we have to break the law. You steal from criminals, I change governments and viewpoints. Not so different in my opinion."

Sly got the feeling it was a joke, but with how stern and neutral the Directors voice was it was hard to tell. Regardless, Sly was still warry of the Director, not so much of what he could do, but of what he was. Sly still didn't have the full story, and at this point he didn't know if he wanted to know.

"So what makes me so special?"

"It is one thing to be able to turn invisible, or slow down time, or harness electricity into a weapon, but for someone to be able to do all these and more is truly something. Have you never once asked yourself how it is possible for you to do such things, or how your ancestors invented such techniques?"

"Well…no. I know not everyone can do the things I can, but there are plenty of things others can do that I can't. I'm not some kind of wizard if that's what you're getting at."

The Director let out a snort of laughter again.

"No, you are by no means a wizard, but you possess powers that others do not, and you are able to learn then with ease. Your family is truly gifted, but there is more to you then what you already are."

Sly was about to ask more but when silent when he realized where they were. He had not even noticed that they had traveled back to his room. Sly looked down at his sleeping body; to say the sensation was strange was an understatement.

"It will be dawn soon, and there is much more we must discuss regarding the Wolf Pack. Tell you friends of what has happened tonight and help them understand. We are not enemies in this Sly, and you will need your friends full support if there is any hope of defeating the Wolf Pack."

The Director turned and looked down at Sly and held out his hand. Sly eyed it for a moment before reaching out and shaking his hand.

"I don't trust you, but I understand the threat. Just promise that me and my friends won't be harmed after this is over, and you have my full support."

The Director gave a slight nod of his head.

"You have my word. Like I said, I respect your work and would not see it hindered…"

The Director let go of Sly's hand and gestured to his sleeping body.

"We will speak more later. Tell Ms. Fox of your experience. I'm sure it will help her see things more clearly."

And with that, the ghostly figure of the white wolf faded. Sly was left along in the ghostly world and he didn't want to stay. He laid down on the bed and positioned himself to match his body. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them everything was normal again. He laid silent for a moment before sitting up. He went to move his arm but had it held firm by Carmelita's cuffs. As if on que Carmelita entered the room, her face filled with many fixed feelings.

"Sly, we need to talk."

"You have no idea…"

"How long do you think it will take?"

"Well, if Serina's calculations are correct, which they always are, he should be operational within two weeks. I still need to wire his wings and configure his central programing."

Vrook nodded to Nathan. The young wolf's expertise in engineering and robotics was unparalleled. He wanted everything to be done as quickly as possible, but he knew patience was needed. This was there only chance at retrieving what was lost, and everything needed to go exactly according to plan. He began walking back to his quarters but stopped when Luna called for him. He peered into her room, looking at the books strewn about that contained ancient and dark spells. She had clearly been looking for something; obviously she didn't have it. He looked over and saw her packing a small suitcase.

"I need to return home to retrieve some things. I won't be gone long."

Vrook starred at her with stern eyes.

"You're not going."

Luna looked back at him, her purple eyes starring into his stone-cold soul.

"Do not make this a test of wills Vrook."

"PHOENIX will have eyes in every corner of he world by the time you get there. Once they spot you they will come for you."

Luna walked up until she was mere inches from Vrook. Luna had always had a very independent spirit, one that did not back down easily.

"I know the risks, but you know how important my spells are. PHOENIX won't be able to catch me even if they do see me."

Vrook starred into the witch's eyes. There was so much power behind them, dark power that had been honed through centuries of practice. It wasn't a matter of if she would be safe, but of how it could complicate things if she was spotted. Vrook knew she wasn't going to back down, so he decided to compromise.

"Fine, but Clayton goes with you, and Emily. The three of you should catch up…it's been to long for us all."

Luna smiled and nodded.

"Agreed. I'm sure they both have many stories to tell."

Vrook smiled.

"I'm sure you will all have much to discuss. Be safe."